I found the following mean spirited comment on Mary's blog and just HAD to add my two cents:

Audrey said...
did you know at 5am mary resembles the stray cat that hangs out across from PC? meow! just wanted to add some love to your neverending comment list....

Mary said...
HEY NOW, Audrey...that was studio week...Hank's class and NO sleep all rolled up into one. If you post that picture I will kill you...

So our dear friend Tania generously sent me the above pic she took of Mary during studio week---or what she likes to call Week of the Living Dead.

Mary must be some kind of Exotic Longhair???

Mom's website is up! Check out her work and bio. Very proud of her.

~:W T F:~So I was chatting with Mary this afternoon and we were lamenting the fact that our blogs don't get nearly as many commentors as our friend Tania's blog does. WHY FUCKING NOT!?!? Are we that boring? Want me to start making shit up? Sheese!~

------------------------------------

Mary: does Tania pay people to leave messages on her blog?

Anne: i am SO envious of how many commentors she has

Mary: I feel so unpopular after I see how many people leave messages on her blog.

Anne: I mean COME ON.

Mary: HELLO! We have pretty cool blogs, too!

Anne: That's why I put a counter on my site.

Mary: me too!

Anne: So I know people are there - even when they don't say so.

Mary: exactly...but it is ridiculous how many people leave her messages...maybe that is a writer thing.

Anne: INSANE

Mary: maybe I should ask people to leave me thumbnails.

Anne: or she's just more fucking popular than we - beeotch

Mary: or, I'd like to believe she's paying them. There has to be some kind of incentive.

Anne: she probably IS paying them

Mary: and she scolded me for not posting to her blog after just 1 week.

Mary: 1 week!

Anne: oh Tania

Anne: she has really lost it

Mary: I think I'll blog about her on my blog and see what happens.

Anne: yeah - me, too.

Anne: i hate her - don't you?

Mary: she is such a bitch.

Anne: we should post this conversation...

Anne: see how she likes it.

Mary: lol

Mary: on her blog.

Anne: i think i will!

Anne: LOL

Mary: that'll teach her a lesson

Anne: yeah

Anne: those writers

Anne: "writers"

Mary: fucking writers.

Anne: lol

Mary: god, and writing is soooo easy.

Mary: everyone can do that.

Anne: as if they do any REAL work

Anne: sheese

Mary: yeah....they just sit around, smoke pot and write silly poetry.

Anne: BAD whiney poetry!

Anne: Oh dark garden of my heart, like tears in the rain, I long for you...

Mary: lol

Anne: ...and under partly cloudy skies, i will sit here alone, by myself and cry of the aching world.

Mary: I would like to see Tania paint.

Anne: YEAH

Mary: actually, that would be rather interesting.

Anne: let's tie her up and see what happens - or put her in Hank's class

Mary: nah, she'd probably fuck it up.

Anne: yeah. prolly

Mary: Yeh, I'd like to see the bitch write with her hands tied.

Anne: upside down

Mary: you should definately post this to her blog.

Anne: i'll do it!

~:F A L L I N G:~

No one likes falling. This time of year, at Easter, I often wonder why we go through the morbid motions of The Stations Of The Cross. It's been a Catholic thing since forever, and while we Episcopalians are not as morbid as our Catholic bretheren, we still get down and dirty with the bad news of Christ's death every Easter.

Since a few years back I've been involved with creating a Station of The Cross with other members of the congregation at St. Patrick's Episcopal Church. Every year I find the thought of interpreting yet another station overwhelming, yet the actual exercise is always cathartic. So I guess that answers my question. Why bother thinking about the bad stuff when it's going to hurt? Because iIt teaches you something different every time. It feels as good as seeing a sad movie. An opera. Shakespeare! These are good stories because they all have moral centers. The crucifiction is no different. It helps me identfy the purpose of my own pain. That it actually DOES something for me.

This is the second year I chose Jesus Falls for the Third Time. No one likes this station - what's the big deal about falling? How exciting is that? Well, plenty exciting. Falling is something we must get used to doing over and over and over again. When you fall, you learn. When you learn you grow. When you fall - you get right back up and try again. This relentless struggle of life is the story I wanted to tell in this station.

I remember the first time I fell and chose not to cry. I was in Kindergarten and SO proud of myself. Skinned my knee, even. Dad came to pick me up that afternoon from school and I ran into his arms, band-aid on my knee with my proud news. "I fell and skinned my knee and DECIDED not to cry!!" So that was a learning experience for me. So powerful, I never forgot it. Thirty something years later, that falling got interpreted into the image you see here.

Jesus eventually fell the third time - and straight to his death. And then to his rebirth. As we also fall again and again and are reborn each time we continue in spite of the fall. So I'm not alone when I fall - as painful and embarassing at it is. I hate falling. But fall I shall. And grow I shall. And learn I shall. And love I shall. Again and again and again.

~:O N E * S T R I P E * T U R T L E N E C K * S H R U G:~

Well it's a good thing cooler weather is still around here in Atlanta, because I just finished my Turtleneck Shrug! I was worried I'd have to wait until next year to wear it. Woo hoo! I used Andean Silk from KnitPicks.com and knit with a size 4 needle. The sleeves are about 2.5 inches shorter than the pattern calls for. Still - they're pretty long on me. On one sleeve, I knit a lighter green stripe with some leftover yarn from my stash.

This is a very comfortable shrug, but I am considering shrinking it a bit. I've knit 2 others from another pattern that fit really snuggly and stayed in place. This one, after a few minutes of moving around (I'm right handed), shifts off my right shoulder. I think if it were tighter, it wouldn't move around as much. Any opinions? Advice?

~Anne

~:Mr. BjornHead Feet:~
Tired of seeing pictures of Bjorn? Too bad. Take a look at his back feet - like he's a Mr. Potato head and they were stuck on as an afterthought. Silly boy.

~:S L E E P I N G * I N:~

This morning, Doug learned the hard way what happens when you sleep in too late in our house. The bed gets made regardless of whose still in it. He he.

~:A R C H E S & A N K L E S:~

Since you now know Mom's a painter, I thought I'd showcase some of her work here. This is one she did of me up in Highlands, NC. It's called Summer Percale. I'll mention that she does not have Photoshop skills, but better - the brush and a mind for interpreting. Lookie lookie - she gave me skinny ankles and beautiful arches! Neither of which I have. Thanks Mom!

~:R E T O U C H * M E:~

This is what I did this afternoon. Mom is joining another group of artists in a group website. Today she submitted her digital portfolio (paintings) and a black and white portrait, which she asked me to touch up. I had a blast! There are very subtle differences here - like making her eyes larger, bringing out more highlights in the hair, bringing in the arm, lifting the ear, shrinking the wrist - and some textural smoothing. Any requests? And in case you were wondering, don't think I DIDN'T retouch my own blogger profile portrait. (he he)

~:S P R O U T I N G * S E E D S:~
My seeds are sprouting! In just 3 days! I put the tray atop Bjorn's crate upstairs in our bedroom. It's warmer upstairs, which is supposed to be ideal for sewing seeds. This is very exciting. Ten dollars for 72 plants. WOW. Makes me feel like I cold grow anything. I could grow stuff for the whole neighborhood! I could be wealthy! The fertility gods are smiling down on me! WOO HOO! Success! Sucess!

~:S E W I N G * S E E D S:~

For some reason, I woke up sad today. Doug even made me a lemon cake and I still felt sad. One of those days where just the thought of one of the things you love to do gives you no amount of pleasure.

I decided to try something new. How about getting up, taking a shower and moving in spite of my sour self? Bjorn agreed. Because Spring peeked its cheery head outside, I decided to begin considering what kinds of spring plants and flowers I wanted this year around our house. This year I want to do it inexpensively. I am notorious for draining my savings on annuals each year. NOT this time!

Last year I planted the greatest, most cooperative little flower called Globe Amaranth. I had the lavender color and they looked spectacular next to zingy green. They also make great cut flowers and are drought tolerant. I had them at my mailbox, in a front yard flower bed and at the side of our house. They lasted FORever and never got tired. When fall came, they turned paper white and still looked lovely. This year I want to do the same - only more colors.

So I went to Home Depot and got one of those little greenhouse kits that will create 72 individual plants within a matter of weeks. Dirt and all - I just added seeds and water and covered the tray. Now I sit and wait (and pray). I spent no more than $10.00 on the kit and 2 packages of seeds. I am so excited!

So how am I feeling now? I still FEEL like crap, but am happier.

Well. I've no fun stories to tell other than these latest picts of what's new and cute at our hizouse.

Olaf looking regal with the tip of his tail curled perfectly for my camera.

Gunther sleeping with all fours together, tail included.

Blooming camelias I cut from our back yard. They are the most generous looking flower. And I love it that they brave cooler weather.

Who knew kittens were insanely talented, slept in so late and that there was such a terrible thing as catnip dealing???!?!?! Check this fabulous video out.

~:F A T * N * H A P P Y:~

Check out the latest in the life of Suzanna DiCarlo. She's a happy chicadee these days and so are those around her. So fun to watch!

~:H A P P Y * B E L A T E D * V A L E N T I N E 'S * D A Y:~

~:F O U R * T I N G S:~

I got this cool thingie of fours from another blogger's stash:

Four jobs I’ve had:
• Designer/design teacher
• Pre-school art teacher
• Live figure drawing model (sorry mom)
• Victoria's Secret Panty Table Greeter

Four movies I can watch over and over:
• The Sound Of Music
• Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
• Young Frankenstein
• The Pianist

Four places I’ve lived:
• Albuquerque, NM
• Cleveland, OH
• Atlanta, GA
• Aurora, IL

Four TV shows I love:
• LOST
• Deadwood
• Six Feet Under
• The Sopranos

Four places I’ve vacationed:
• Cozumel
• Stowe, VT
• Highlands, NC
• New Orleans, LA

Four of my favorite dishes:
• Chicken Divan
• Steak & Artichokes
• Mom's Split Pea Soup with anything
• Doug's Fart Your Brains Out Chili

Four sites I visit daily:
• Post Secret
• Scarf Style/Knit Style Knit-Along
• Grumperina
• Cute Overload

Four places I would rather be right now:
• Red Chair in my Kitchen
• Living Room couch w/ my husband
• In my Landrover
• Anywhere with Bjorn in my lap

Allllrightee den, now it's your turn...

~:P O M * P O M * S C A R F L E T:~

I got this pattern from my good friend and fellow knitter Marlis.
We meet each Friday morning for coffee at the Java Monkey in Decatur.
Molly (Suzanna's new Mommie) is there, too and the three of us chat away, exchange ideas, laugh, tell stories and support each other in only a small and intimate group can. It's magic.

Anyhow, Marlis sat with me 2 weeks ago and gave me the directions while I sketched out dimensions, etc. of this fabulously simple scarf. It took me two nights to finish and the gratification was oh-so-instant. A great quick gift! Thanks Marlis!

Scarf dimensions:
4 inches wide
16 inches long

Pom Pom dimensions:
Large Pom Pom: 3 1/2 inches wide
Small Pom Pom: 2- 2 1/2 inches wide

Yarn: Soft-Kid
(70% super kid mohair, 25% nylon, 5% new wool)
Two strands held together.
Green: #76
Blue: #58

Needles: #7 circular

Scarf Directions:
CO 22 stitches.
Knit in 2 x 2 rib for 16 inches.
Pull yarn through all stitches in last row, rather than casting off.
This tapers the end to a point.
Attach the large Pom Pom to this end.

At the cast on edge, form a loop by sewing both ends together. (You will push the large Pom Pom through this hole to fasten the scarf closed.)

Attach the smaller Pom Pom (for decoration only) to the tip of
this loop where you have sewn the ends together.

Finis!
Wrap around your pretty neck and pat yourself on the back. Now go make one for your grandmother, one for your sister in law, one for your best friend and one for your mother.

Thank you god, thank you thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyougod.

~:Nutty Yogurt Bread Recipe:~

350° oven
Bake for 1 hour
Yields 1 loaf

Ingredients:

1 T sunflower oil, play extra to grease pan
2 1/4 C unbleached flour
1/4 C plus 2 T whole-wheat flour
1 t salt
1 t cream of tartar
1 t baking soda
1/4 C mixed nuts, chopped
3/4 C sunflower seeds
1 t honey
3/4 C, plus 2 T plain yogurt
1/14 C milk
2 T sunflower seeds, to sprinkle

1. Grease a 9 x 5 x 3 inch loaf pan with oil. Sift the flours, salt, cream of tartar, baking soda, and baking powder together in a large bowl. Stir in the nuts and sunflower seeds.

2. Mix the honey, yogurt, milk and oil. Stir into the dry ingredients and mix to form a soft dough.

3. Spoon the batter into the prepared pan and smooth to level the top. Sprinkle with sunflower seeds. Bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour, until golden and risen. The bread is ready when its edges shrink from the sides of the pan.

~:B A K E * B R E A D * I N S T E A D:~

This was a trying weekend. Just as I finished up my Spiral Lace Capelet that I've been proudly slaving over for the past coupla months, I try it on and BANG, it's to fucking BIG. ARRRRRRGGGGGGGGGG. It's too big to fix, since it's knit in a tube and if I were to correct it and make it smaller, I'd have to start from the beginning and cast on far fewer stiches. Fuck that. I am going to "rip that shit out", as they say, and use the yarn for something else! A different pattern from the Interweave Press SCARF STYLE book. Another knitter made one in pink, a Turtleneck Shrug by Teva Durham. This woman did a terrific job of inspiring me.

I also decided to start on another knitting project (smaller this time) from my friend Marlis. It's a little scarflet that wraps around your neck once, is very short and is fastened by one of the two pom-poms on either end. I'm really excited about this one. Am double stranding two yarns of kid mohair. It's oh so fuzzy and soft. Kinda like the fingerless mitts but not as fragile. I am knitting this in a 2x2 rib with size 8 needles. So far, size is not an issue, thankgodinheaven.

What else did I do this weekend to soothe my heartache? I baked bread. Three loaves. Ahhhh. There is nothing like the smell of home baked bread in your kitchen. I can still smell it the next morning. First loaf I tried was a quick bread called Nutty Yogurt Bread. It's very heavy, full of mixed nuts, toasts realy well - although I must admit the slices were too heavy to pop up on their own without a little help from my hungry hands. This loaf was real easy. No rising invloved. Just mix the wet and dry ingerdients and pour into a baking pan. Makes you look like a genius. We ate this nutty bread for breakfast yesterday. For those of you who like "egg-on-toast", I highly recommend this texured bread.

Second loaf I tried was Mantovana Olive Oil Bread. Yuhhmeeeeeeeee! Crisp on the outside and soft and fine on the inside. This loaf requires two rises, but it's worth the effort. We'll make sandwiches tonight with this and I'll have something showy to bring to lunch at school this week. Woo hoo!

~:O H * S U Z A N N A:~

My dear friends Molly and Josh had their first baby last month. Suzanna! A real sweetheart. Doug and I got to meet her this morning. Everyone's doing really well, including Scout, their Boston Terrier. It's real fun watching close friends expand their families. Very inspiring! We hope to be there, too someday.

~:K I T T Y * L O V E:~

I have shamefully neglected to tell you about my two beautiful cats, as Bjorn and his big personality jockey for position in this house. Time for me to share a bit about Gunther and Olaf, who are incredibly patient with Bjorn and all his silly silliness.

I have had Gunther since 1992. Got him from the Albuquerque pound when he was just 2 years old. In 1994, he drove back to Atlanta with me in my 78 volvo - crying the entire first day and sleeping for the next. Gunther stuck with me through my student years at PC and then moved with me to Midtown once I started my career. The first week in the city really freaked him out - so onto valium he went and we could both sleep again.

Shortly after Tommy died, I decided to treat myself to a tattoo and a new kitten. In comes Olaf, who was so little, kitten food was too much for him - so he got turkey his 1st 2 weeks with us. Gradually, Gunther accepted Olaf into the family. Today they are inseparable.

Let me tell you how heavenly it was to be a single girl and the owner of 2 lovely cats. I used to wake up in the morning with 2 creatures on my chest, staring down at me and purring madly. I'd wake up laughing every time.

When I come home, it's like being Snow White. All the creatures in our house converge and we make family together. It's a nice life. I can't imagine not having a pet. All my life we've had at least one dog. I got my first cat when I was 6. Named her Rosemary. And I've had a cat ever since then.

The best thing about having Gunther is that he's big and heavy and really laid back. He's a lap hog - the very second your but hits the surface of a chair our the couch, he's there waiting to jump up. I can hold Gunther in my arms and he won't ever ask to be put down. He'll start purring by just looking at you. He's so relaxed that the picture you see here is of him sitting on my scanner. All I did was press the scan button and ta-da, he sat still enough for the machine to do its thing. He he.

The best thing about Olaf is his slight build and quirky nature. Olaf is a tiny creature with a very long tail. He's beautiful. He's also a hands-off cat. Does not like to be picked up, but once you're quiet and peaceful enough, he'll com sit in your lap on the couch. The only time he really loves to be vigorously petted is when he's eating. He's an odd creature, but entertaining nonetheless. And sweet in his quiet own way.

So there you have it! Any questions?

~: H A N D K I S S E S * C O M P L E T E D :~

Ta da! Finis. Finally finished the fingerless mitts in this lovely angora and I am very happy. Took more photos if you're interested. They are very snuggly to wear but don't quite hug my hands like I need them to. Angora just isn't springy and elastic when knit up, or at least this pattern isn't. But I love the colors - pinks, greens, brown and yellow.

~:What Your Underwear Says About You:~

You like to think of yourself as innocent, even though you're not!

You're comfortable in your own skin - and don't care to impress anyone.

The Underwear Oracle
http://www.blogthings.com/theunderwearoracle/

~:C L O S E R * T O * A * H U G:~

Hello everyone. Making progress here with the Spiral Lace Capelet. When I first posted my beginning adventure with this pattern, I was not quite convinced I'd be able to complete the project. I prefer working on little projects because they are kinder to my hands and the gratification is faster. This time I tried working on a couple of projects simultaneously, so my interest never wanes and my hands get to hold a variety of needles. I am doing fine!

Knitting with Andean Silk from KnitPicks.com has been a real pleasure - it's hefty yet glides through my fingers. The pattern is quite easy - looks like a cable, but is actually a series of yarn-overs and decreases. So it puckers and ripples in all the right places. I have knit up about 8.5 inches. At 11, I'll begin decreases for a couple of inches around the shoulders.

I am a person who is forever cold, so I'm really excited about wearing this wrap. It looks like it'll feel like giant hug. When I am finished, I'll post the final.

~:H A N D K I S S E S:~

This goes out to all you knitters out there. I bought some lovely angora yarn that is oh-so-fragile, enough to snap apart if I pull too hard. But when knit up, it's soft and cozy and feels like a kiss. Lotsa kisses. I'll knit a snug pair of fingerless mitts just for me and no one else, thankyouverymuch.

~:L O V E * F E S T:~

Yup. This is what happens at our house when everyone's happy and feels emotionally and physically generous. I had a craptastic weekend but now all is well. As you can see.

~:K & EMORY:~
Have graduated from Portfolio Center!!! Their folks came to town and the night before, joined Hank at Fratellis down the street. They invited Doug and me to join. We had a great time making each other laugh. Er, um, watching Emory laugh and listening to Hank talk and talk and talk all about the South. I must say that K's father looks like he spit her out. Beautiful. Her Mother's a warm and inviting person. Her Dad was wearing a custom-made shirt which made Doug drool..."Honey, c-can I get one?" We are, sadly, addicted to Good Will, where we buy other people's hand-tailored clothing for reeeel cheeeeep.

Emory's parents were also delightful. Having come from a place where it was under something like UNDER TWENTY degrees, Doug and I looked like fools wrapped up in wool and cashmere, shivering. Emory shares the same mannerisms as her Mom, while her father, too, looks as if he spit her out. It's the same with my father and me. I've read somewhere (in some scientific study of human behavior, etc.) that daughters typically favor their father's likenesses so that their Dads literally will think twice about eating them. How could one eat oneself and feel ok about it, right? Interesting to say the least.

And of course, Hank was a dream guest - who educated us all about world history, the dawn of man, quantum physics, racial segregation, our nation's political history, and why wearing socks is a ridiculous idea. Where would we all be without Hank-ster? Watching TV, I guess. He is a magnificent man. Inspiration to so many people and optimism at WORK. Hank's grounded firmly in the possibility of where one can go and how one can achieve enlightenment. Mostly - how we can share in that experience. I love him as if he were my own.

I got a very good feeling and taste of why these two women are so special. After meeting their parents, I can see how much discipline and love they grew up under. Little girls grow up to be strong women when they know they are loved and are challenged to find themselves. K, Emory and their families are testsment of that fact. Having had these two women as students - they are honest, dependable, hard-working, emotionally generous and very brave souls. They are amoung the very short list of the most emotionally mature students I've had. And to top it off - they're funny. Emory's entertaining and engaging volume of ideas and stories far exceed my own, while K draws you in with the spell of quite contemplation which invites you to listen and absorb her thoughts. I find being in their presence highly addictive and equally so. Probably why they are so find of each other. If you want to find out more about K, read her ever-growing bee-log. And if you want to know more about Emory (who has PROMISED us to start her own bee-log as soon as she's settled into life beyond grad school), ask ANYone at PC, and they'll have lots of stories to tell.

Thanks you to Doug, who also made us laugh - naming the check (the waiter so politely placed in the center of the table at sunrise), a flaming pit a fire - calling our attention - and prompting us to leave. Thank you Doug for taking so many pictures of this fun night. And to K and Emory - sorry we missed your actual graduation - tell us all about it in yer blogsters. And thanks to their parental units for treating us to drinks and chocolate cake.

XOXOXO,
~Anne (who will miss you)

~:N E W * U C L A * S T U D Y:~

A study conducted by UCLA's Department of Psychiatry has revealed that the kind of face a woman finds attractive on a man can differ depending on where she is in her menstrual cycle.

For example: If she is ovulating, she is attracted to men with rugged and masculine features.

If she is menstruating or menopausal, she tends to be more attracted to a man with scissors lodged in his temple and duct tape over his mouth while he is on fire. No further studies are expected.

~W I L L * K N I T * 4 * W E B S I T E:~ Would you like a handknit hat, scarf or fingerless mits? I need help designing/publishing my wesite. I'm trying to teach myself GoLive and need someone to sit with me, one on one for a little bit. I guess I need a tutor of sorts. I can knit you something in return. Anyone interested? For now, this is my temporary, yet slow, solution: Anne Elser Design.

~:B J O R N W O O D:~ Well it looks as if a new season of Deadwood is upon us soon. We here at the Elser household are very, very excited. I got a sneek peak at some of the new cast members to join the group in season three. Remember how I was talking about the softer side of Al? Well it looks as if they've taken it a bit further. Pitter pat and all of that. Looks like BjornMouse is in the hiz-ouse. he he

~:H E L P:~ Can anyone tell me why my African Violets are drooping? This is not, (I repeat) NOT a test. They've had plenty of water and droop no matter how much. An ideas? I thought maybe it was too cold by the window this time of year or maybe that they don't want any kind of fertilizer this time of year, or... I dunno. Oh heavens, I am in agony.

~:D E A D W O O D:~ I am in love with this man. Al Swearingen. He's a grimy, slimy son of a bitch whose great gift is making a profit. But underneath his crude exterior, he's no better or worse than any of us. That's how we see most of the other characters of the show. We see how they struggle and sometimes do the right thing. But mostly the wrong thing. I find that fascinating. I'm talking about HBO's DEADWOOD.

To truly appreciate the story of Deadwood (or the struggle of our own lives, for that matter), one must first understand and appreciate the mistakes we all make. And no one said it better than H.G. Wells: "Moral indignation is jealousy with a halo." After finding that quote, my life was changed for the better, I believe. No shit. It changed the manner in which I asses people. And that is to NOT do it in the first place.

David Milch, director/creator/executive producer, etc. is a genius. The way he uses language is fascinating. It took us about three episodes to get into the rhythm of their speech and understand just what the fuck people were saying. It's like going to see a Shakespeare play and getting used to that way of speaking. Or watching a film with subtitles. It's laborious at first, but once you get the hang of it - you're really into it.

The characters of Deadwood use the most foul language imaginable. Cocksucker is the term most used to refer to anyone in the least bit annoying. Cunt is the second - to describe either male or female. And pussy or twat is used to refer to the many whores who live there. Any time one wishes to emphasize absolutely anything they're talking about, the term fucking is used before or after the word or situation needing emphasis. Having said all that, being able to stop flinching at the foul nature of the language was tricky, too. David Milch talked about how language was one of the few resources people had at that time. Hence, the long-winded, flowery and frequently foul manner in which people expressed themselves. It was a way to say either "Don't fuck with me - I'm smart." Or "Don't fuck with me - I'm dangerous." Achhh. I fucking digress.

Back to Al. People flock to him because he is a strong leader. He is both loved and feared. There is a charm and wisdom about him that one can easily ignore. But once you get past his faulty exterior, there's a humanity in him. I see myself in him - with all my flaws and defects out there for everyone to see. There is a desperate criminal in all of us. I truly believe that. And every "monster" has his virtues. Monsters are not all bad. None of them are. Fear and self-righteousness keeps us from really knowing them, identifying with them, seeing ourselves in them. Find their humanity. I grew up with one such monster. Tommy would have ended up in prison, had it not been for his dying. He made a choice. Learning to respect that choice tops my new year's resolution list each and every year.

But back to Al again. The one thing I admire most about Al is that he TRIES. He works at it. Though his motives and manner may be undeniably flawed, he is still motivated to move, to make things happen, to try and try and try again. I think that is the lesson in this series. Trying is how this great, noble and flawed nation of ours got goin'. And it is through that continuous trying that we will adapt and survive.

I will leave you with one more quote from H.G. Wells: " If you fell down yesterday, stand up today."

Here endeth the god damn fucking lesson.

~:L E T T U C E * K N I T:~

Good morning all. This is my new project. A Spiral Lace Capelet from WRAP STYLE by Interweave Knits.

At $3.29 a ball, this Andean Silk from KnitPicks.com is a great deal. The beautiful green color is called Lettuce. It sort of looks like the real thing anyway, with all the twists, ripples and turns. Kinda neat.

The creature you see is Olaf, my youngest cat, who is shown carefully inspecting my gauge. He's a stickler for details and has a head for numbers, unlike myself who never learned my times tables. I actually have not gotten far enough to check gauge, so I may be ripping this one out before long.

I am a slow knitter, so you might not hear from me for a while or you might find my updates rated for the turtle group rather than the hare. Does anyone else find their hands and wrists aching if they knit too much or too fast for too long?

Wish me luck! And many thanks to Deborah Newton, the pattern designer.

~Anne

~:K N I T * M E:~

Dougie Fresh has a new sailor cap thanks to the many chores he has done at home to allow more time for me to knit it for him. This is an easy 2x2 rib stitch pattern whose SSK decreases create the beautiful coiling star pattern at the top of the hat. The cuff/brim/whatever, can be rolled as loosely or tightly as you'd like. Doug's not a hat person, but he loves this one. He says all hats give him a headache as his head is larger than average (NOT kidding). But this one feels like he's not wearing anything. The wool is Cherry Tree sock yarn, knit on no. 2 circulars. The pattern is from Interweave Knits. I am now knitting a green lace stitch wrap for myself from the Interweave Press book "Wrap Style." There's a knit-along-blog for it here, which I want to post to soon.

~Anne

~:W O R K * W I T H * M E:~

I love teaching. Love it. I love listening. Love it. And the poem below describes why. I am sick of whiners and complainers. I hate anything that isn't productive. I love and admire a push forward. I am inspired by people who search. Who listen. Who absorb. Who question. Who ask. A new quarter has begun at Portfolio Center. Monday I'll meet the new batch of first quarter students. It is such an event to meet them. Giving them a positive and hard-working invitation to plunge could not be more exciting. Doing it with them is even better.

To Be of Use
by Marge Piercy -

The people I love the best
jump into work head first
without dallying in the shallows
and swim off with sure strokes almost out of sight.
They seem to become natives of that element,
the black sleek heads of seals
bouncing like half-submerged balls.

I love people who harness themselves, an ox to a heavy cart,
who pull like water buffalo, with massive patience,
who strain in the mud and the muck to move things forward,
who do what has to be done, again and again.

I want to be with people who submerge
in the task, who go into the fields to harvest
and work in a row and pass the bags along,
who are not parlor generals and field deserters
but move in a common rhythm
when the food must come in or the fire be put out.

The work of the world is common as mud.
Botched, it smears the hands, crumbles to dust.
But the thing worth doing well done
has a shape that satisfies, clean and evident.
Greek amphoras for wine or oil,
Hopi vases that held corn, are put in museums
but you know they were made to be used.
The pitcher cries for water to carry
and a person for work that is real.

~:B L O O M:~
My christmas cactus is blooming and all the world shall know.

~:N E W * W O R K:~

These are recent bodies of identity work Anne Elser Design completed in my first year of official business. Wow. I feel like a grown-up or something. It's ridiculous. It has been a fabulous year, I still can't believe I'm getting paid more to work for myself. I feel so undeserving. Woo hoo!!! Thank you God. Thank you thank you thank you God.

~:N A U G H T Y or N I C E:~

If your holiday was not as perfect as planned or if you have a flexible sense of humor, this christmas card will please you. :-)